Essex Women v The Blaze
Metro Bank One Day Cup
Ambassador Cruise Line Ground | Chelmsford
Saturday 13 September | 10:30am start
Essex Women round off their debut season with a home clash against The Blaze at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Saturday.
The 2025 season comes to a close on Saturday for Essex Women as they face The Blaze in the final Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture.
Jason Gallian’s side will be aiming to finish the season with a strong performance and a victory in front of the home crowd, bringing to a close the first year of professional cricket under the new Women’s English Domestic structure.
In the previous round, Essex endured a tough day in the field as centuries from Emma Jones (141) and Alice Davidson-Richards (107) powered Surrey to 313 for five in a rain-shortened 45-over innings.
With Essex struggling to contain the Surrey batters, it proved another challenging outing in a campaign that has already brought 11 defeats. Esmae MacGregor and Grace Scrivens worked hard with the ball, but Surrey’s dominance left Essex chasing leather for much of the innings.
However, heavy rain at the interval meant Essex were denied the chance to respond with the bat.
Squad
A 13-player squad will be available for selection ahead of The Blaze’s visit to Chelmsford on Saturday.
Cordelia Griffith is unavailable with a minor muscle injury and Jodi Grewcock is being rested.
One of Our Own: Esmae MacGregor
Last Time We Met: The Blaze
Essex’s captain Grace Scrivens led from the front with a brilliant unbeaten 120, but her side fell short against leaders The Blaze in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
Previous Lineups
Essex Women: Grace Scrivens (C), Lissy Macleod, Cordelia Griffith, Jodi Grewcock, Flo Miller, Sophia Smale, Amara Carr (WK), Eva Gray, Esma MacGregor, Kate Coppack, Abtaha Maqsood.
The Blaze: Amy Jones (WK), Tammy Beaumont (C), Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Georgie Boyce, Orla Prendergast, Ella Claridge, Sarah Glenn, Josie Groves, Cassidy McCarthy, Grace Ballinger.
After being put in, Essex recovered from 17 for two through Scrivens and Jodi Grewcock (28), before Ireland’s Orla Prendergast (3-32) triggered a collapse. Scrivens found another partner in Amara Carr (34), adding 80 for the sixth wicket, and went on to a fine century, ensuring Essex reached 231 for nine. Esmae MacGregor (3-42) impressed with the ball, while Scrivens’ innings showed real resilience despite losing partners around her.
Defending their total, Essex’s attack struggled to contain Tammy Beaumont, who made her second hundred in three days (116*), supported by Amy Jones (41) and Kathryn Bryce (47). Although MacGregor picked up three wickets and Essex fought to the end, The Blaze’s batting depth saw them home by five wickets with nearly 10 overs to spare.
For Essex, Scrivens’ innings was a standout performance and MacGregor’s bowling provided encouragement, but the side were ultimately outgunned by the then competition leaders.
Current Blaze squad: Kirstie Gordon (c), Grace Ballinger, Sarah Glenn, Georgie Boyce, Josie Groves, Cassidy McCarthy, Lucy Higham, Sarah Bryce, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Tammy Beaumont, Kathryn Bryce, Prisha Thanawala, Charley Phillips, Marie Kelly, Michaela Kirk, Ella Claridge, Georgia Elwiss, Amy Jones, Olivia Baker, Amy Wheeler, Scarlett Hughes, Heather Graham, Orla Prendergast.
The Blaze Preview
Coach: Craig Cumming
Captain: Kirstie Gordon
Player to watch: The return of former Loughborough Lightning captain Georgia Elwiss to the East Midlands after four trophy-laden seasons with Southern Vipers adds proven experience and availability to The Blaze squad. The 33-year-old former England all-rounder’s 2024 campaign was among the best of her career, including 488 runs at 69.71 in the 50-over competition.
Young gun: Josie Groves has taken 20 List A wickets in the past two seasons yet the leg spinner has only just turned 20 and is still looking to realise her full potential both as a bowler and batter. An Under-19s World Cup finalist, she is likely to have a big part to play this season.
Final thought: Last year’s 20-over champions and 50-over finalists two years ago, The Blaze have added a fourth current England player in Amy Jones to the squad with all-rounders Orla Prendergast (Ireland) and Heather Graham (Australia) sharing overseas duties. Stung by failing to make the knock-out stage in last season’s 50-over competition, they will be eager to put that right.
How To Watch
If you are unable to attend any of the match days, the game will be available to watch via the Essex Cricket Matchzone, through the YouTube livestream.
Daily highlights will be available after each day’s play via the Club website and social media. Live updates will also be provided through the Club’s various social platforms and channels.
Tickets
Tickets are available to purchase both online in advance or on the gate on matchday.
Unallocated tickets are available for just £8, whilst juniors can access this match for £5.
Please note that the start time is 10:30am so gates will open to spectators at 9:30am.
To secure your seats for Saturday, visit the link below:
